City Comparison
Lafayette vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Lafayette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lafayette
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lafayette is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lafayette | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $2,274 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lafayette offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lafayette delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lafayette is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Lafayette | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,539 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lafayette runs warmer on average — a 53.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lafayette comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lafayette sees 22.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lafayette | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 29.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Lafayette.
Lafayette scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Lafayette | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lafayette is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Lafayette is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lafayette | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,323 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lafayette
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain significantly below the national US average per Zillow and HUD data.
Robust local manufacturing and engineering job sectors anchored by Subaru of Indiana Automotive and Caterpillar.
Proximity to Purdue University brings cultural events, Big Ten athletics, and continuous economic innovation.
Manageable average commute times under 20 minutes compared to major metropolitan congestion.
Extensive parks and recreation network including Columbian Park and Wabash River trail systems.
Drawbacks
Car dependency is high, with limited rapid transit options outside of local bus routes.
Sub-freezing winter temperatures and seasonal snowfall require ongoing municipal snow removal management.
Wage growth has occasionally lagged behind sudden spikes in housing demand near the university border.
Local entertainment and dining options are more limited compared to nearby Indianapolis or Chicago.
Property tax rates in certain expanding school districts can offset some overall cost of living savings.
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Lafayette
#156Indiana, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
53.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
70
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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